WEST Australian nurses have gone back to the Industrial Relations Commission for further talks with the health department over pay, conditions and bed closures.

Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) secretary Mark Olson said the commission had made a recommendation - not an order - that nurses stop industrial action after the health department raised concerns about patient safety.

More than 1000 nurses voted on Monday to close one in five beds in a bid for higher pay and fewer menial tasks.

Health department director-general Kim Snowball said he had received legal advice that no offer could be made while the government was in caretaker mode before the March 9 election.

The ANF and the department went back to the commission today for further talks.

Mr Olson said the nurses were still waiting for "a genuine breakthrough'' in the negotiations.

He said health chiefs from Perth's three largest hospitals on Wednesday said 72 beds were closed at Royal Perth Hospital, 66 at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and 44 at Fremantle Hospital.

Mr Olson said he had advised Health Minister Kim Hames that nurses and midwives would now accept a 15 per cent pay offer over three years starting in July.

They had previously sought a 20 per cent pay rise over three years.

The state has offered three per cent a year - roughly equivalent to inflation - and a further 1.25 per cent per annum if nurses give up certain conditions.

Mr Olson said the union also wanted a government commitment to keep the Graylands Hospital carpark open and a promise that negotiations on all other matters would recommence after the election.

Any matters left outstanding after June 30 would be arbitrated by the commission, he said.

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